SONA 2020

WATCH: Despite pandemic, Duterte targets oligarchs in SONA 2020

JC Gotinga
WATCH: Despite pandemic, Duterte targets oligarchs in SONA 2020
Filipinos waited for the State of the Nation Address this year to hear the government's plans on fighting COVID-19. But the President spends much of his speech blasting oligarchs and drugs instead.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) would have been an opportune moment to lay before the people his plans on fighting COVID-19 and resuscitating the flagging economy.

However, the Chief Executive spent much of his airtime on tirades against supposed oligarchs, whom he said were the primary cause of Filipinos’ poverty and suffering.

Duterte even lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon twice during his speech for allegedly siding with the Lopez family in the ABS-CBN controversy, and the Ayalas during the privatization of water utilities.

Watch this video report summing up Duterte’s SONA 2020. – Rappler.com

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JC Gotinga

JC Gotinga often reports about the West Philippine Sea, the communist insurgency, and terrorism as he covers national defense and security for Rappler. He enjoys telling stories about his hometown, Pasig City. JC has worked with Al Jazeera, CNN Philippines, News5, and CBN Asia.